13 Judgement Hour Experiences

By John Thiel, The Consummation of the Everlasting Covenant Conference, Study 13, mp3

During the time of the judgment the reception of the kingdom takes place. What we heard posed to our understanding that we are going to have some shuffling to do amongst us to develop a righteous character.

Daniel 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy [it] unto the end.

7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

Those words have declared to us that there is an experience behind that. That’s the subject of the hour, judgement hour experiences. We came to the date of 1798 and what is the time called?

The Time of the End

Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

When Apostle Paul was confronted with the suggestion that Jesus was coming in his time, he had to tell them no, it won’t happen until there come a falling away first and the man of sin be revealed. By 1798 it was all revealed. By 1798 it was the time in which the proclamation of the coming of Jesus Christ was justified. The book of Daniel was opened during that time because it says shut up and seal the book even till the time of the end. In the time of the end, many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased.

Daniel 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

Here is a challenge as Jesus said he who reads let him understand. The book of Daniel was sealed and closed till the time of the end. It was not understood. Why? Because God did not want the people to understand something especially the Jews before they had the opportunity to choose which way they were going to go. He already knew the end from the beginning and with the things in the book of Daniel if they would have understood it would have pre-empted them and they would have thought we have no choice, we are just going to have to do what the prophecy says but no it was closed so that the Jews and everyone thereafter would fulfill prophecy without knowing that the prophecy was made. This is Gods wisdom. While he knows the future, he keeps that away from the people so they can make their own choices in reference to the messages that come to them. Since we have been living in the time of the end since 1798 now we are to study this and if we correctly understand as it says, the wise will understand while the wicked will do wickedly and shall not understand. What is to be understood in the experience of that time? Many shall be purified, made white and tried. In the time of the judgement that was identified in Daniel 7 the kingdom shall be given to the saints during that time when the Kingdom is received. Jesus our high priest is there in the judgement.

Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.

There in the heavenly sanctuary where the judgement commenced, Jesus comes to the most holy place. He comes to his temple and what happens?

Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:

3:3 And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

The books are open. As the books of our life are opened in the judgement, the Lord is refining his people as he comes to his temple in the most holy place. Many will be made white, tried and purified. The experience of Gods people during the lead up to the final consummation is one of purification. It is essential to know what is involved in that purification so that we don’t become undone. Because if it happens to arrive upon us and we do not know what to expect, we will be so bewildered and confused we will think it’s all over I’m hopeless. We want to hear the word of the saviour teaching me how to be his in times of this nature. Why are they being purified? The books are opened. As the books in the heavenly sanctuary are opened, what is being done to Gods people?

Revelation 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

This is a direct reference to the anti-typical day of atonement in which the judgement is taking place. What is involved in the judgement? The people that are by faith in the sanctuary in heaven are being measured together with the temple and the altar. They are being measured. What does this remind you of? What have we heard in the previous messages in reference to Ephesians 4? What was it there? What measurement are we to reach?

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

This is part of the exercise of the work of the ministry in the unity of the faith to bring the people to the perfection of the measure of Christ. In this judgement there is something that is going to be used as a measuring rod and that is Christ’s righteousness. The people are going to be measured.

God’s law reaches the feelings and motives, as well as the outward acts. It reveals the secrets of the heart, flashing light upon things before buried in darkness. God knows every thought, every purpose, every plan, every motive. The books of heaven record the sins that would have been committed had there been opportunity. God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing. By His law He measures the character of every man. As the artist transfers to the canvas the features of the face, so the features of each individual character are transferred to the books of heaven. {5BC 1085.4}

That which you would do at heart you would do openly. If Sr White was living today she would say as you see on the screen of your computer the picture of your photograph that you can take and send overseas, that is what is being written. God has a photo of al living character in heaven as it is here on earth.

God has a perfect photograph of every man’s character, and this photograph He compares with His law. {5BC 1085.4}

What does he do? As he measures your character, your living photograph, all of your motives and the features of your character that you are only sometimes half aware of are to be purified.

He reveals to man the defects that mar his life, and calls upon him to repent and turn from sin (ST July 31, 1901). {5BC 1085.4}

This is the experience of the purification during the judgement time. Apostle Paul talks about this. He opens to you your sins.

1 Timothy 5:24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some [men] they follow after.

I always ask the question, when do you want your sins exposed to you? When you can have an opportunity to repent or when it is too late? It’s obvious isn’t it. That’s the mercy of God. He opens the sins to us and our understanding and what is marring our life before it is too late so that in the investigative judgement when the books are opened a measuring is taking place and God says alright he draws attention of my character and what is marring it to what he sees. How does he do it? How does he reveal to me the things I don’t even know I’m doing and if I had opportunity I would do? How does he do it? We are Laodicean and we don’t know how wretched, miserable, poor blind and naked we are. As we read the Bible what do Christians do? We understand what the Bible says. It is alright but here is what God does to reveal our sins to us.

Daniel 11:35 And [some] of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make [them] white, [even] to the time of the end: because [it is] yet for a time appointed.

What? How is he going to show me? Those that understand will fall. Why will they fall? To try and purge them and to make them white. I never forget the words that have come to me, I don’t want to make any mistakes. Well you are going to, that’s the only way you will learn. The term ‘the university of knocks and bruises’ applies here. It is told us those of understanding shall fall. The wicked won’t understand but the wise will understand. They shall fall to purge them because there are certain characteristics in my life that I’m completely unaware of and if I had opportunity I would do them so the Lord says ok here is your opportunity. It is a trying experience and he will try them in the furnace to discover my sins by falling to show me that I am not as pure as I thought I was. To fall so that I may overcome how embarrassing, what an experience. This is a very discouraging experience to the natural man.

Satan understands their weakness and manages to overcome them again and again. But let none be discouraged by this. {HP 30.3}

When you are overcome by the devil you think you are a hopeless case and if it happens again you ask when will I learn? It happens again and you think I’m never going to make it. But if you think like that you are not learning as every time you fall it is a design of God’s providence to help you learn from falling again by having gone through the experience. It is like a toddler, how do they learn to walk? They fall and they get up again. God permits Satan do to this so we will fall and learn the tactics of overcoming those particular weaknesses. This is the testimony of Jesus that was given as he is our high priest in heaven doing this work.

In seasons of temptation we seem to lose sight of the fact that God tests us that our faith may be tried and be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus. . {TMK 282.2}

Before Jesus comes, I must go through the schooling.

The Lord places us in different positions to develop us. If we have defects of character of which we are not aware, He gives us discipline that will bring those defects to our knowledge, that we may overcome them. It is His providence that brings us into varying circumstances. In each new position, we meet a different class of temptations. How many times when we are placed in some trying situation we think, “This is a wonderful mistake. How I wish I had stayed where I was before.” But why is it that you are not satisfied? It is because your circumstances have served to bring new defects in your character to your notice, but nothing is revealed but that which was in you. {TMK 282.2}

It is coming in contact with difficulties that will give you spiritual muscle and sinew. You will become strong in Christ if you endure the testing process and the proving of God. . . . Remember when trials come that you are a spectacle to angels and to men, and that every time you fail to bear the proving of the Lord you are lessening your spiritual strength. You should hold your peace from complaining, and take your burden to Jesus, and lay your whole soul open before Him. Do not carry it to a third person. Do not lay your burden upon humanity. Say, “I will not gratify the enemy by murmuring. I will lay my care at the feet of Jesus. I will tell it to Him in faith.” If you do this you will receive help from above; you will realize the fulfillment of the promise, “He is on my right hand that I should not be moved” (see Psalm 16:8). {TMK 282.3}

God’s Word declares, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried” (Daniel 12:10). Only he who endures the trial will receive the crown of life. {TMK 282.4}

What must I endure? A spectacle to angels and to men. Do you like the fact that someone can see you falling? How embarrassing. So indeed God is taking us through the ground. If you study carefully when it comes to the time of Jacobs trouble God will let Satan give us a really hard time but by then we would have overcome every sin but by then our earthliness will be removed. The point is that if we understand this, if we are wise this is the reality. If we are going to be among the 144,000 this is what the Lord is telling us how to go ahead and what to expect. Satan understands my weaknesses and overcomes me again and again but let none be discouraged as we are being purged.

How careful is the Lord Jesus to give no occasion for a soul to despair. How He fences about the soul from Satan’s fierce attacks. If through manifold temptations we are surprised or deceived into sin, He does not turn from us and leave us to perish. {OHC 49.2}

I am thankful for these words. Have you ever been surprised and deceived into sin? When I did, I thought it was death for me and I thought I was damned.

No, no, that is not our Saviour…. He was tempted in all points like as we are; and having been tempted, He knows how to succor those who are tempted. Our crucified Lord is pleading for us in the presence of the Father at the throne of grace. His atoning sacrifice we may plead for our pardon, our justification, and our sanctification. The Lamb slain is our only hope. Our faith looks up to Him, grasps Him as the One who can save to the uttermost, and the fragrance of the all-sufficient offering is accepted of the Father. {OHC 49.2}

Surprised into sin flat on my face a spectacle to be watched by angels and men. When these things happen I see people fall over and they look around to see who was watching and it gets very embarrassing if someone saw them. We are a spectacle as this is happening. They are watching if when we are surprised into sin we will turn to Jesus. Jesus is waiting saying I’ve just shown you by your fall where you are at fault, will you continue with me or will you run away in despair? I don’t want to let you go, don’t run away, don’t be so embarrassed but continue with me.

If you make failures and are betrayed into sin, do not feel then you cannot pray but seek the Lord more earnestly. {OHC 49.3}

The blood of Jesus is pleading with power and efficacy for those who are backslidden, for those who are rebellious, for those who sin against great light and love. Satan stands at our right hand to accuse us, and our Advocate stands at God’s right hand to plead for us. He has never lost a case that has been committed to Him. We may trust in our Advocate; for He pleads His own merits in our behalf…. He is making intercession for the most lowly, the most oppressed and suffering, for the most tried and tempted ones. With upraised hands He pleads, “I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16. {OHC 49.4}

Have you ever thought I’m too rebellious, God can’t have me I’m too rebellious? It says the blood of Jesus is pleading for the rebellious. How can we despair when we understand this? The wise will understand that when they fall, when they are embarrassed and surprised into sin, when they have even fallen into attitudes of rebellion, to suddenly see Jesus still pleading for them, how touching and precious. This is the experience in the time of the judgement. We have a high standard before us.

We are to grow daily in spiritual loveliness. We shall fail often in our efforts to copy the divine pattern. We shall often have to bow down to weep at the feet of Jesus, because of our shortcomings and mistakes; but we are not to be discouraged; we are to pray more fervently, believe more fully, and try again with more steadfastness to grow into the likeness of our Lord. As we distrust our own power, we shall trust the power of our Redeemer, and render praise to God, who is the health of our countenance, and our God. {1SM 337.1}

We are to be filled with the decision I will not do this again and I will know better how to call upon the Lord to help me and I will watch more carefully and bang I go again and I managed there but here is where I failed to look to my help and I will learn of that for the next time. We are to try again. Can you see the experience? I fail because I have discovered I was trusting in self. Now I learn I forgot to look to Jesus in that case. I fail so I can learn to keep on realising that I need him. The more I fail the more I will call upon him and the more sensitive I become that I have nothing in myself to survive. I will learn to rely totally, that is the process. As this is the experience of Gods people in these last days, there are people today who believe that it is not on. They can’t handle this, it is too embarrassing, it is too far off the mark, a spectacle to angels no thank you, a spectacle to men, no thank you. As they go through these battles they will look to another way. As we see other people in the faith around us, what will we experience?

The time when the work goes hardest is the very time to test the spiritual strength and the wisdom of every worker. . . . When difficulties arise in any branch of the cause—as they surely will, for the church militant is not the church triumphant—all heaven is watching to see what will be the course of those who are entrusted with sacred responsibilities.. {CTr 370.2}

Are you entrusted with sacred responsibilities? Every one of us are.

Some will stumble, some will give heed to seducing spirits; some will choose darkness rather than light because they are not true to God. Like their Master, those who are abiding in Christ will not fall nor be discouraged. {CTr 370.2}

The righteous may fall but they will not utterly fall. They will fall to purify them. They will not fall to be discouraged. A person who becomes depressed so heavily that he can’t get out of his depression anymore has fallen for his discouragement and will fall unless he abides in Christ. What does it meant to abide in Christ? When I have sinned, Jesus is still with me because didn’t he take the living experience of my sin? I am not on my own. If I will abide in Christ although I have fallen, I will not be discouraged. We feel so absolutely bereft of any sense of self-worth and we are living in a world today that is trying to inject artificially into the lives of people a sense of self-worth. The work of God is at hand to bring the glory of man in the dust and people don’t want that. They want to boost up their ego and that is around us where ever we go. Someone is feeling downcast and they try to boost up their ego. Jesus is right there experiencing this with you. He was crying my God, my God why have you forsaken me? In our experience in the church in this time of judgement, the experience will be some will stumble, some will give heed to seducing spirits, some will choose darkness rather than light and others will not fall or be discouraged through that terrible time. The wise will understand. Even Jezebel is in the judgement. As we live in this world in my personal experience, in my experience in the church and the churches around me, what else will take place? The experience of the Sunday and Sabbath interaction will be ours.

The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. {5T 81.1}

What is the mentality of general conclusions about the gold in the church? It is the people think the gold will remain in the church and the dross will be separated. But it says in this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church.

If doubts and unbelief are cherished, the faithful ministers will be removed from the people who think they know so much. {SpTA11 8.1}

That is what many people don’t pay attention to. What does that mean by experience? It means the church you are in, if you are a faithful follower of everything that God has shown you, you will be separated from the church. I am reading here in this time the dross, so let’s not argue with it. It says the gold will be separated from the dross not the dross separated from the gold. We are told that in this time the faithful people will be separated from the dross in the church. That experience is connected. These are the experiences in the time of the judgment. What else will we experience? We have gone into the experience of our personal shaking of making sins and learning from our mistakes and seeing people around us becoming discouraged. Seductive spirits deceiving them and also people faithful. We will also experience faithful people being separated from the dross.

Daniel 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy [it] unto the end.

Whose dominion? The papacy. Since the beginning of the judgement Gods people who are watching what is going on who are wise, they will see the papal power being consumed to be destroyed unto the end. It is a little bit different to what people think. Has the papacy been going through this experience ever since the judgment commenced. Hasn’t the deadly wound being healed? Aren’t people going to be persecuted by the papacy? They won’t be persecuted by the papacy, they will be persecuted by apostate Protestantism. The papacy is behind it but what has been happening to the papacy in your life time? What is one of the most recent things that the papacy did? They apologised for the dark ages. What did they do that for? They knew they were already under fire. What has been happening recently with all those lawsuits against their priests? They are paying out millions in lawsuits. Is she consumed slowly? This is what we experience in the time of the judgement. During the time of the judgment papal embarrassment will increase and lead to Revelation 18. This is its final position of being consumed to the end. As the merchants see the papacy and its influence upon the world they say;

Revelation 18:16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

18:17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

As they see that golden city burning because she will be consumed and destroyed unto the end and ever since the commencement of the judgment this has been systematically taking place. Your personal experience, Satan understands your weaknesses and will overcome you again and again and again. Many times you will have to weep at the foot of the cross for your failures. Do you know that experience? This is the experience of the judgment.

Some will stumble; some will give heed to seducing spirits; some will choose darkness rather than light because they are not true to God. Like their Master, those who are abiding in Christ will not fail nor be discouraged. . . . {CTr 123.2}

Those who will not fall who are gold who are being purged to bring forth pure gold, they will be removed from the dross in the church. The other experience is to see the falling of the papacy around us and the fall of the churches so they have to keep on apologising for the wrongs they have done to save the lawsuits. Yet the lawsuits go against them. A lot don’t expect that. They think the papacy and the churches are going to win. No, it is written they will also demise. Are we going through these experiences? Are we living in the judgement reality? If we desire to be the gold, if we desire to permit him to purge and purify us, you will need fortification to survive. We have studied what to expect and next we will study the revival that will fortify us so we can pass through that. If I don’t know what to expect he revival is not meaningful to me. if the revival comes and I don’t know what to expect it is also useless. This is our path of research. Why did 1888 come? It came just at a time when the final test was launched. We will look at the 1888 revival and the 1888 Sunday laws and we will see where we stand in our experience. May we keep in tune with these messages.

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